1. Ch. 20 Lesson 1 Railroads Lead the Way
Mrs.Orsino

2. Railroads Lead the Way
The transcontinental railroad was soon followed by 5 others with hundreds of smaller lines branching off.
Large railroad
companies bought
smaller ones
or drove them
out of business

3. Railroad Barons
powerful individuals who controlled the nations rail traffic & helped build the nation’s transportation network
- Cornelius Vanderbilt
- James Hill

4. Railroads Stimulate the Economy
Industries that boomed as a result of RR expansion
Steel
Lumber
Coal
Provided jobs!
CLASS NOTES

5. Improving the Railroads
Standard gauge tracks-same width! Allowed all railroads to use the same tracks.
Allowed faster shipment of goods
Didn’t have to unload from one train to another

7. Railroad Technology George Westinghouse- air brakes- improved stopping
Eli Janney- car couplers made it easier to link cars
Gustavus Swift- refrigerated cars could ship meat and perishable goods long distances
George Pullman- railroad sleeping car; improved dining cars. “pull-man- while sleeping”

8. Competition
Rebates- secret discounts were offered by large RR companies. Small companies couldn’t keep up!
Pools- secret agreements among RR barons; divided business among companies and set rates allowed higher rates/profits; tried to outlaw

9. Railroads Change America
Expansion into the West
Growth of agriculture out West and manufacturing in the East
People move from rural areas to cities
Time Zones- measure travel by hours not miles; created a national system with 4 time zones
Opens US to settling in new areas, changes transportation and communication
CLASS NOTES

10. Time Zones